Background and objective: Topical aminophylline, caffeine, yohimbe, l-carnitine, and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) may aid in reducing body fat. Lipoxyderm™ contains these ingredients and was used to test if fat loss of the thigh, in conjunction with a low intensity exercise program and restricted calorie intake, was enhanced via the topical application of this lotion.
Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-group study that investigated the effects of Lipoxyderm™ on thigh fat mass, circumference, and skinfold thickness. Seven participants underwent pre/post-exercise testing for weight, bilateral thigh circumference/skinfold thickness, and body composition/thigh fat mass assessment via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Participants followed a hypocaloric diet, walked 150 minutes/wk, and were randomly assigned to apply a placebo to one leg and Lipoxyderm™ to their other leg for 28 days. Separate two-way mixed factorial repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare the effects of Lipoxyderm™ to the placebo on thigh circumference, skinfold thickness, and fat mass.
Results: A significant time x group interaction was found for thigh circumference (F1,6 = 18.2, P = 0.005), skinfold thickness (F1,6 = 14.6, P = 0.009), and fat mass (F1,6 = 37.1, P = 0.001).
Conclusions: A twice-daily topical application of Lipoxyderm™ for 28 days compared to a placebo combined with a walking program and a restricted caloric intake is more effective at reducing thigh circumference (1.2 vs 0.8 cm), thigh skinfold thickness (3.7 vs 2.0 mm), and thigh fat mass (100.0 g vs 57.3 g).
Keywords: aminophylline; caffeine; fat reduction; gotu kola; l-carnitine; yohimbe.
© 2018 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.